So, I am looking for a buck to replace the underweight buck I received in my first trio. He's only 6 pounds at 24 months (was 18 months when I got him) and should be weighing no less than 9-12 pounds for the male of his breed. I have found a buck in the breed I need from a different breeder, but this breeder keeps their grow-outs in tractors on the ground. The buck I'm being offered is one who has been on the ground for most of it's life (it is now 18 weeks). Frankly, I have no problem with grow-outs on the ground. In my mind, grow-outs are temporary residents destined for freezer camp. In my way of thinking, if a buck or doe is worth keeping for use in your herd as a breeder or to sell to another breeder or even as a pet, it shouldn't be on the ground. Yes?
I keep all of my breeders in cages off the ground due to fleas, ticks, worms, viruses, bacteria and whatever else may end up plaguing a rabbit. In my mind, breeder rabbits are long-term residents whom I am investing heavily in because I am depending upon them for food production, etc. I would only tractor rabbits whom, for one reason or another, are destined for food and they would never be returned to my breeder stock. Yet, I am told this tractored litter is returned to their doe mom's cage each night, to date.
Am I being overly cautious or protective of my herd? I was so excited to have found a buck of the breed I need and the correct color. But I am afraid to add this buck to my herd because I am concerned what pests, parasites, viruses or otherwise, it might have contracted living so many weeks on the ground.
I look forward to hearing from you, regardless of your point of view because I am open to learning and to the possibility that I am being too concerned.
Thanks!
Kelley
I keep all of my breeders in cages off the ground due to fleas, ticks, worms, viruses, bacteria and whatever else may end up plaguing a rabbit. In my mind, breeder rabbits are long-term residents whom I am investing heavily in because I am depending upon them for food production, etc. I would only tractor rabbits whom, for one reason or another, are destined for food and they would never be returned to my breeder stock. Yet, I am told this tractored litter is returned to their doe mom's cage each night, to date.
Am I being overly cautious or protective of my herd? I was so excited to have found a buck of the breed I need and the correct color. But I am afraid to add this buck to my herd because I am concerned what pests, parasites, viruses or otherwise, it might have contracted living so many weeks on the ground.
I look forward to hearing from you, regardless of your point of view because I am open to learning and to the possibility that I am being too concerned.
Thanks!
Kelley